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Wednesday, May 05, 2010

A different kind of book came out this past weekend. It’s called The Clock Without a Face. I haven’t seen it, but it’s described as “a house-shaped board book chock full of mystery, humor and stunning artwork.” That sounds good. But what will probably have people snatching it up is that, according to SFGate, “there are also clues that point to 12 emerald-encrusted numbers buried across the country.”

As readers follow the adventure, they'll pick up clues leading them to the real-life location of the numbers.
"We wanted to have all these different entry points to the book," Horowitz said. "You can read it just as a whodunit. You can read it as this weird art book. You can read it as this interior design book or as this puzzle book or as this buried-treasure book."

It sounds like an interesting concept. I’d probably at least pick it up and look at it at a bookstore, but I’m not sure it’s the type of book I’d buy. I guess time will tell if it’s a useless gimmick or a marketing success.

If it works at all - it will be because there isn't an adult out there that doesn't remember treasure hunting as a kid. It's amazing how adults tend to want to relive those childhood memories; a saner comforting time for most.(Hugs)Indigo

they have a web site with a few examples:gustwintig.com. It actually looks pretty fun - and from reading about it elsewhere, I'm guessing it is aimed at kids primarily to promote some kind of family participation. I've never heard of the publisher though - McSweeney's?

A lot of whether I'd be interested depends on how far you have to travel to find the clues. Maybe if it involved places all over the States or the world, you could get friends to go in with you as a team.

I can see it being a fun hunt for families or people who like that sort of thing. But the tresure hunt aspect of it will have limited appeal, despite sounding like a fun, cool family adventure opportunity.

I bought it and love it. Its very well written (Mac Barnett who has a few books published by Simon and Schuster). I have no intention on hunting for the treasure - it's just a fun read and I could (and have) look at the illustrations for hours. The great thing is that it works on three levels:1) the whodunnit story line for kids is very clever and fun2) there is a treasure hunt aspect WITHIN THE DRAWINGS - you are supposed to discover missing items within the incredibly detailed illustrations. Can't remember the illustrator's name but I think I read he's a fine artist - not an illustrator)and 3) the real buried treasures.The book retails for $20 but I ordered it from Amazon for under $14.It's on my coffee table because to me, it also functions as

I'm glad that Bill gave an overview of the book. I was not sure if I would even check it out until I read his comment. My initial reaction was that it was a gimmick and would appeal to people who enjoy searching for treasure, but not to readers just for the literary aspect of the book. Sounds like it has something to offer o a lot of levels. Clever idea.

I'm puzzled by the comments about this book. The concept is not new. Over thirty years ago Kit Williams published Masquerade which contained clues in both text and artwork. YA—and adult—interest in the book was great, even among those who would never travel to Britain to do the actual treasure hunting. More recently, Michael Stadther's Secrets of the Alchemist Dar and A Treasure's Trove led to actual treasures worth $1M and $ 2M respectively. All of these books have done well, eagerly read by active seekers as well as armchair adventurers who read solely for the joy of solving a puzzle.

I think what one poster was thinking about is A Treasure's Trove by Michael Stadther. Stadther stashed a bunch of jeweled pendants or whatever around the country and then wrote and illustrated a book describing where they were.

It created quite a stir then, and several people worked out the clues to find them. (I tried to figure them out, but it was too advanced for me. :-( )

A second book he wrote, however, didn't fare so well. He had to declare bankruptcy or something, I think, and abandoned the quest before anyone found any of the new hidden treasures.

Angel Sometimes by Helen Ginger

Angel Sometimes

Helen Ginger

Helen is the author of five books: three non-fiction, a short story anthology and a contemporary fiction, Angel Sometimes. She maintains an informational and interactive blog for writers and a weekly e-newsletter that has been going out to subscribers around the globe for thirteen years. She is an owner-partner and Women’s Marketing Director for Legends In Our Own Minds®, which specializes in creative networking opportunities for companies and groups.